National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

The current certification given by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and National Association of the Deaf (NAD). The NIC is composed of three parts: a written knowledge test, an interview focusing on ethical decision making, and a performance test consisting of a signed and spoken portion. There are three teirs of certification:

NIC
Individuals who achieve the NIC level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam. They have also scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview and performance portions of the test.

NIC Advanced
Individuals who achieved the NIC Advanced level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam; scored within the standard range of a professional interpreter on the interview portion; and scored within the high range on the performance portion of the test.

NIC Master
Individuals who achieved the NIC Master level have passed the NIC Knowledge exam. They have scored within the high range of a professional interpreter on both the interview and performance portions of the test.
Individuals who achieve any of the three NIC certification levels are to be commended.

NIC Testing Process - RID testing information.

** As of December 1st, 2011, the testing format has changed! Read about the new structure and expectations in the NAD-RID National Interpreter Certification Handbook